Burmese American historian and professor (1946–2021)
Michael Aung-Thwin (1946 – August 14, 2021) was a Burmese American historian and emeritus professor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, specializing in early Southeast Asian and Burmese history.[1]
Early life and education
Aung-Thwin was born in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar) in 1946. Aung-Thwin's mother, Margaret Hope Aung-Thwin, of mixed Anglo-Burmese, Karen, and Arakanese descent, was a Fulbright scholar and lecturer.[2][3] He attended Kodaikanal International School in South India, where his mother taught.[1] He earned a bachelor of arts degree at Doane College in 1969, followed by a master of arts degree at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1971, and a PhD at the University of Michigan.[1]
Academic career
Aung-Thwin held academic posts at Elmira College, Kyoto University, Northern Illinois University, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the University of Hawaii-Manoa. He served as the Director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Illinois University.[1] In 2018, he was awarded the George E. Bogaars endowed professorship at NUS.[4]
Death
Aung-Thwin died at his home in Hawaii on August 14, 2021, after a long illness.[5]
Personal life
Aung-Thwin was married to Maria, and had two children, Maitrii and Amita.[1] Maitrii Aung-Thwin is a Burmese American historian and professor at NUS.[7]
